ASHEBORO, N.C. (ACME NEWS) — North Carolina’s new state budget approves 54 staff positions and $6.2 million for the N.C. Zoo’s Asia Continent, though an opening timeline still remains elusive.
After more than a year of delay, Governor Josh Stein signed North Carolina’s $34 billion state budget into law Tuesday, finally clearing the funding hurdle that had stalled the zoo’s expansion project.
The Asia Continent represents the N.C. Zoo’s first major expansion since its North America opened in 1994. The 12.5-acre project broke ground in August 2022, following years of planning, fundraising and delays tied to the pandemic and inflation that pushed the original $65 million budget to $75.5 million.
By April, construction on Asia was complete with most animals settled in, but the zoo could not move forward without state-funded positions.
“Once funding challenges are resolved, our team will work to open Asia as quickly as possible,” said Diane Villa, interim director of the North Carolina Zoo.
The N.C. Zoo had been targeting a June 2026 grand opening. However, in early April, Acme News learned the zoo had quietly pushed back its target opening from June to September as the budget impasse continued. After issuing a statement, the zoo said they had no target opening date and any announcement would come from DNCR.
Leadership requested 69 positions, but the signed budget approved only 54. The approved staffing includes transportation, guest services and custodial roles.
“The North Carolina Zoo is pleased that the majority of our requested positions and funding for the Zoo’s new Asia Continent were appropriated by the new state budget,” a North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources statement said. “The 54 positions and $6.2 million in operating funds will allow us to move forward with opening this exciting new area to visitors as soon as practicable.”
Hiring for the positions will begin immediately, though the zoo said it does not have an estimated timeline for opening.
“We will work as quickly as possible to hire for these necessary positions and prepare to officially open Asia once that process is complete,” DNCR said.
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